Gala fundraiser has horse power

JETS and Jewels will be the theme on Friday, 3 June in Hanger 8 at Virginia Airport, when two local NPO organisations, the Nicholas Rey Foundation and Rescuetech, join forces to host an extravagant gala fundraiser.

These two non-profit organisations have partnered to provide critical emergency care and long term medical assistance to the public and in particular victims of equestrian related incidents.

The Nicholas Rey Foundation was formed by Ricky Smit, a friend of Nicholas Rey, a victim of an unfortunate freak accident while playing polo in June 2004 which left him with a severe brainstem injury, from which he is unable to move or speak. Rey is the patron of the foundation and still remains an avid admirer of the horse, despite his injury.

Smit, who has experienced a horse-riding accident of her own, is aware of how fortunate she was not to have been severely injured and was inspired to make a difference, especially once she realised the medical costs incurred by the Rey family. Although the Rey family came from a financially secure background and could afford to pay for the on-going medical treatment and rehabilitation of Nicolas’s treatment, there were many other victims who could not which was the basis for the establishment of the foundation. “Since its inception we’ve been able to help different people who have been injured in horse related accidents,” she said.

Now in its tenth year, the foundation has lent its help by importing medical devices, paying for physiotherapy rehabilitation sessions and more.

Smit who is undertaking flight training, is also the Marketing Manager at the King Shaka Aviation Centre (KSAC), and has still maintained her passion to help those in need. Being based at Virginia Airport she has joined forces between her NPO organisation and the voluntary emergency search and rescue service, Rescuetech.

The vision of Rescuetech is to provide a voluntary, emergency rescue support service, additional to all existing ambulance, rescue, and safety services. Rescuetech is committed to both human and animal rescues. Since response-time in emergencies is critical and high angle rescue services scarce, its mission is to react in the shortest possible time, to either conduct the rescue/medivac and or to assist in the rescue/medivac, and to help stabilise victims of medical and trauma emergencies.

To support these two well deserving NPO organisations, get dressed up in your elegant finery and purchase your ticket for just R400 per person at a table of 10 and enjoy this unique fine dining experience in Hanger 8 at Virginia Airport at 6pm for 6.30pm.

South African singer and songwriter, Dennis East, will provide the entertainment, and you will have the opportunity to mingle with local movers and shakers with television and sporting personalities in attendance. The highlight of the evening will be an auction featuring items ranging from jewellery to art and will culminate in the racing career of a horse which is up for grabs.

Call Ricky Smit now on 083 231 6458 or email her at rickysmit@mweb.co.za.